TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Too many of us wait until things around the house either break down or die altogether before we fix them. Today’s Angie’s List report tells you why changing this habit should be among your New Year’s resolutions, and three chores to tackle first.
When was the last time you noticed your water heater? Never? Chances are good that you’ve also never done the annual chore that will keep it working well for the 12 years it’s meant to run well.
Another annual chore some of us have never done: Clearing your outside dryer vent. Fifteen thousand homes catch fire when backed up lint and debris get too hot. A clogged vent will also have an effect on how well your dryer performs.
This annual chore might surprise you: Deep cleaning your carpet. Pros say most carpet will look good for a decade if you take care of it well, and that means an annual deep cleaning for high-traffic areas on top of weekly vacuuming.
Basic maintenance does take time but Angie says it pays off because emergency repair fees can add hundreds to your replacement costs. Also, appliances and your water heater account for nearly a third of your energy bill. When they work harder, you pay more.
Still need a reason to do your chores? System failures rarely happen at a convenient time. Doing these and other chores will help you avoid that stress.
